By Johnny McFarland
Millington, TN. May 2, 2018. In an effort to support outdoor education and diverse wildlife habitat for the future of pollinators and upland game birds, the Mid South Chapter of Quail Forever partnered with Woodstock Ghost Riders 4-H Horse Program of Shelby County at Woodstock Orchard to deliver the organization’s signature “Youth Pollinator Habitat Program.” Members of both organizations gathered on April 29, 2018 to learn about the importance of pollinators to our food chain and to plant a native wildlife plot featuring pollinator plants common to a southern ecosystem.
The program’s objectives are to increase awareness about declining grassland wildlife species including quail, songbirds, and pollinating insects, educate the public on the importance of pollinator habitat, and establish quality pollinator habitat throughout the country. Local Quail Forever chapters are working with communities to create habitat projects that involve youth, school, and community groups. Quail Forever wildlife biologists for West Tennessee, Gordon Counts and Brittney Viers, provided invaluable assistance in establishing the habitat.
“This is yet another way Quail Forever helps influence the conservation leaders of the future,” stated Johnny McFarland, youth director of the Mid South Chapter of Quail Forever. “This pollinator plot is helping to restore critical habitat for monarch butterflies, honey bees, and song birds, while serving as an outdoor classroom for groups like this 4-H chapter led by Lydia Holland. It is a win-win situation for all.”
“Brittney Viers and Gordon Counts are the west Tennessee Quail Forever wildlife biologists who work with landowners and farmers in establishing wildlife habitat. Brittney drew up our seed mix which was custom mixed for us by Roundstone Native Seed. It includes 16 different native plant seeds including purple coneflower, switchgrass, milkweed, showy tickseed, and others. This is a three season blooming mix to enhance the pollinator habitat,” explained McFarland. “Gordon drove to the farm and helped pick the location and coached the landowner on how to prepare the land so we could have a successful planting.”
Approximately one-third of the food we consume is delivered by pollinators, including fruits, vegetables, and coffee. Habitat necessary for rapidly declining populations of bees and butterflies is also the same diverse habitat necessary for quail, songbirds, and a host of other wildlife species. The insects produced in this habitat are a primary food source for quail in their first months of life.
This Quail Forever Youth Habitat Pollinator Project is made possible by funding from DuPont Pioneer, Monarch Joint Venture, Cabelas Outdoor Fund, Bayer Bee Care, and the Mid South Chapter of Quail Forever. For more information about the Mid South Chapter, call Walker Morris at (901) 218-3542, or visit their website at www.midsouthquailforever.org.
For more information about the role Quail Forever/Pheasants Forever has taken in helping produce pollinator habitat. See:
https://quailforever.org/BlogLanding/Blogs/Field-Notes/Quail-Forever%E2%80%99s-Youth-Pollinator-Habitat-Program-A.aspx?feed=articles
A good link to pollinator habitat information is: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/pa/plantsanimals/?cid=nrcs142p2_018171
Millington, TN. May 2, 2018. In an effort to support outdoor education and diverse wildlife habitat for the future of pollinators and upland game birds, the Mid South Chapter of Quail Forever partnered with Woodstock Ghost Riders 4-H Horse Program of Shelby County at Woodstock Orchard to deliver the organization’s signature “Youth Pollinator Habitat Program.” Members of both organizations gathered on April 29, 2018 to learn about the importance of pollinators to our food chain and to plant a native wildlife plot featuring pollinator plants common to a southern ecosystem.
The program’s objectives are to increase awareness about declining grassland wildlife species including quail, songbirds, and pollinating insects, educate the public on the importance of pollinator habitat, and establish quality pollinator habitat throughout the country. Local Quail Forever chapters are working with communities to create habitat projects that involve youth, school, and community groups. Quail Forever wildlife biologists for West Tennessee, Gordon Counts and Brittney Viers, provided invaluable assistance in establishing the habitat.
“This is yet another way Quail Forever helps influence the conservation leaders of the future,” stated Johnny McFarland, youth director of the Mid South Chapter of Quail Forever. “This pollinator plot is helping to restore critical habitat for monarch butterflies, honey bees, and song birds, while serving as an outdoor classroom for groups like this 4-H chapter led by Lydia Holland. It is a win-win situation for all.”
“Brittney Viers and Gordon Counts are the west Tennessee Quail Forever wildlife biologists who work with landowners and farmers in establishing wildlife habitat. Brittney drew up our seed mix which was custom mixed for us by Roundstone Native Seed. It includes 16 different native plant seeds including purple coneflower, switchgrass, milkweed, showy tickseed, and others. This is a three season blooming mix to enhance the pollinator habitat,” explained McFarland. “Gordon drove to the farm and helped pick the location and coached the landowner on how to prepare the land so we could have a successful planting.”
Approximately one-third of the food we consume is delivered by pollinators, including fruits, vegetables, and coffee. Habitat necessary for rapidly declining populations of bees and butterflies is also the same diverse habitat necessary for quail, songbirds, and a host of other wildlife species. The insects produced in this habitat are a primary food source for quail in their first months of life.
This Quail Forever Youth Habitat Pollinator Project is made possible by funding from DuPont Pioneer, Monarch Joint Venture, Cabelas Outdoor Fund, Bayer Bee Care, and the Mid South Chapter of Quail Forever. For more information about the Mid South Chapter, call Walker Morris at (901) 218-3542, or visit their website at www.midsouthquailforever.org.
For more information about the role Quail Forever/Pheasants Forever has taken in helping produce pollinator habitat. See:
https://quailforever.org/BlogLanding/Blogs/Field-Notes/Quail-Forever%E2%80%99s-Youth-Pollinator-Habitat-Program-A.aspx?feed=articles
A good link to pollinator habitat information is: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/pa/plantsanimals/?cid=nrcs142p2_018171
